RaceFans Round-up: COTA has “too much run-off”

In brief

Magnussen in two minds about COTA layout

Ahead of his return to the Circuit of the Americas for the first time since 2019, Magnussen described the 10-year-old facility as one of F1’s best, with few shortcomings.

“It’s a great track, especially sector one, it’s super high-speed,” he said. “The ‘Esses’ I think are actually some of the coolest corners in F1. There’s a bit too much run-off for my liking but the layout itself is very cool, so I’m looking forward to going back there.

“[Turn one] is a pretty unique corner. It becomes very wide towards the apex, you can’t actually see the track as it’s over a crest and it’s super-wide. The apex itself is very narrow so it creates opportunities for a lot of different lines.”

Drivers often go wide at the first corner, particularly on the opening lap. But the FIA has enforced track limits more strictly this year than last, when turns nine and 19 were singled out for attention by the FIA.

The track surface is another regular problem, Magnussen added. “It has become very bumpy, so some years when we get there it’s super-bumpy and then others, they grind down those bumps so the circuit changes its character a little bit in that way.” Parts of the track were resurfaced again this year ahead of Moto GP’s visit there for its race in April, following complaints from riders the year before.

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HMD Motorsports completes eight-car Indy Lights line-up

HMD Motorsports have eight drivers signed up for Indy Lights next season, with Rasmus Lindh and Josh Pierson the latest additions.

Lindh, a 21-year-old from Sweden, has been attempting to make it into the series for several years. In 2020 he signed with Belardi Auto Racing but the season was cancelled, and then the team folded. Last year he lacked the budget to compete until the final three rounds.

Since finishing second in USF Pro 2000 (previously known as Indy Pro 2000) in 2019, Lindh has primarily raced LMP3 prototype sportscars in America.

Pierson is also more often seen in prototypes, having raced in America, Asia and Europe this year in a LMP2 car run by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown’s United Autosport team. The 16-year-old is the Le Mans 24 Hours’ youngest ever starter, and was class winner in this year’s Sebring 1000 Miles race. He…